You're supposed to have 4 sq feet per chicken in the coop....10 in the run. It's okay to go a little under that number (I know I have, at least in the coop) but that's the general idea. Good luck!!!

If 6x16 is the size of your coop, then you can fit about 30 chickens in there, cutting corners. If that's the size of your run, that's only about 10 chickens.

Generally most people go for cornish X rock meat birds, because those are bred to grow very quickly and not eat too much food (HA!!!). They do grow pretty quick (that's what I have) and the suggestion is that for the first week or so to let them have food 24/7, then only let them eat from 7am to 7pm.

Here's what I was thinking.....although I am still not sure I could do the deed.

Since they only live for a couple month....I could cover a 6x16 section of the run. I already have perches in it because right now I am raising my young ones in it. But soon they will be integrated with my full growns and I could use that space for meat chickens.

Does that make sense? I was thinking I would need less space since they basically just eat.

Read the link I sent you. You are right, they only live a couple of months and the space requirements can be considerabley less. They don't need all that run space. 3 sq foot per bird, period. Keep them clean dry and comfortable :>)

My laying hens have 3 sq ft inside coop and 5sq ft out in the run...they are happy healthy clean and well cared for and I haven't lost a singel one to disease or have never had any pecking problems.

Also, if I did this it would only be in a warmer season. It can get cold down here in winter and all they would have is a roof over the enclosed pen. I'm just trying to get an idea here and think this out.